EML4
EML4 (Echinoderm Microtubule-associated protein-Like 4) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EML4 gene. It is a member of the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein (EMAP) family and plays a crucial role in microtubule formation, which is an essential process for cell division and cell cycle progression.
Function[edit | edit source]
EML4 is involved in the formation of microtubules, a component of the cell's cytoskeleton. Microtubules are involved in a wide variety of cellular activities, including mitosis, intracellular transport, and the maintenance of cell shape. EML4 is believed to assist in stabilizing microtubules and promoting their assembly.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
EML4 has been implicated in a variety of human diseases, most notably lung cancer. A specific gene fusion between EML4 and the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene has been identified in a subset of non-small cell lung cancers. This EML4-ALK fusion gene is believed to drive the growth of cancer cells and is a target for specific therapies.
See also[edit | edit source]
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External links[edit | edit source]
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